LPN's working at a dialysis clinic?

nurse dolly · Mar 18, 2004

At the dialysis clinic I work at a typical day can either start out 1 of 2 ways for me, 1 I have medications all day so I 'm not actually assigned any patients, however that means that I am responsible for helping put on all catheter patients and life site patients because that means that its just me and the charge nurse ( who is also an LVN) and we have 20 chairs, each PCT is assigned 4 patients. Any problems with access's I help in between all the catheter put ons. Then I help do all the assessments me and the chrg usually split the group and do 10 each ( she calls Dr, and takes care of all that) Any way then I draw all ordered medications which usually include IV-epogen, zemplar, venofer/ferrlecit. Give all of these, prepare any antibiotics and get ready for turn around. Which is always alot of fun. If you can imagine taking people off and getting set up for next person, yes even though I dont have patients I try to strip machine and set it up after closing catheter patients. Alot of the time I have 4 of my own and I still have to help put on any catheters, help with assess. and medications and monitoring my own b/ps every 30 mins. I'm in Texas and I think the pay is excellant and its very rewarding I get over 40 hrs per week and I only work 4 days per week, last week I only worked M-W and was off T,F,S always on Sunday and M and T for some much need R and R which I spent camping with my husband and 3 children. Have only done dialysis since completing nurseing school in 1994 except 6 months as a GVN in a Long term care facility. Hope this didnt bore you to much there are other things like check all patients medications monthly and diabetic foot checks monthly. But its never a dull moment.

shawnalj · Mar 18, 2004

At the dialysis clinic I work at a typical day can either start out 1 of 2 ways for me, 1 I have medications all day so I 'm not actually assigned any patients, however that means that I am responsible for helping put on all catheter patients and life site patients because that means that its just me and the charge nurse ( who is also an LVN) and we have 20 chairs, each PCT is assigned 4 patients. Any problems with access's I help in between all the catheter put ons. Then I help do all the assessments me and the chrg usually split the group and do 10 each ( she calls Dr, and takes care of all that) Any way then I draw all ordered medications which usually include IV-epogen, zemplar, venofer/ferrlecit. Give all of these, prepare any antibiotics and get ready for turn around. Which is always alot of fun. If you can imagine taking people off and getting set up for next person, yes even though I dont have patients I try to strip machine and set it up after closing catheter patients. Alot of the time I have 4 of my own and I still have to help put on any catheters, help with assess. and medications and monitoring my own b/ps every 30 mins. I'm in Texas and I think the pay is excellant and its very rewarding I get over 40 hrs per week and I only work 4 days per week, last week I only worked M-W and was off T,F,S always on Sunday and M and T for some much need R and R which I spent camping with my husband and 3 children. Have only done dialysis since completing nurseing school in 1994 except 6 months as a GVN in a Long term care facility. Hope this didnt bore you to much there are other things like check all patients medications monthly and diabetic foot checks monthly. But its never a dull moment.

Thanks so much for all the info! This gives me more of an idea of what to expect. One more question please?... How long was your orientation/training?

nurse dolly · Mar 18, 2004

Thanks so much for all the info! This gives me more of an idea of what to expect. One more question please?... How long was your orientation/training?

When I started it was in 1996 and I was trained at the dialysis unit where I was hired I had orientation for approx. 3 months this was mostly hands on and reading material and all the policies and procedures. I would say it was a good 6 months before I actually felt completely comfortable, and believe me alot has changed since then. I'll spare you the details but justa n idea, The Dr. owned the clinic at the time and we are now owned by a corporation and its better because their are laws and rules from medicare and the state that have to be followed. I know now its usually about 3 months. You either hate it or you love it!!:rotfl: